West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison in custody after ‘punching and slapping ex-girlfriend’

Premier League footballer Ravel Morrison has been remanded in custody after appearing in court accused of punching and slapping his ex-girlfriend and her mother.

The West Ham midfielder, who is charged with two counts of common assault, closed his eyes and puffed his cheeks out as he was refused bail.

The 21-year-old, who spoke only to confirm his name and age, is alleged to have attacked Reah Mansoor, 19, outside a Manchester bar in the early hours of Sunday.

A short time later he assaulted both victims at Reah’s mother’s house in Salford, the prosecution alleges.

‘You are remanded in custody to appear back before this court by video-link from prison one week from today on August 7,’ district judge James Prowse told him at Manchester magistrates’ court.

Morrison was hailed as a star of the future after coming through the Manchester United youth system that produced players such as David Beckham and Ryan Giggs. Sir Alex Ferguson sold him to West Ham for £650,000 in 2012.

He made a bright start to last season and scored a wonder goal in a 3-0 win over Tottenham before suffering an injury and loss of form, ending up on loan at QPR.